A Modular Platform for Cytocompatible Hydrogels with Tailored Mechanical Properties Based on Monolithic Matrices and Particulate Building Blocks
Abstract
We establish a versatilehydrogel platform based on modularbuildingblocks that allows the design of hydrogels with tailored physicalarchitecture and mechanical properties. We demonstrate its versatilityby assembling (i) a fully monolithic gelatin methacryloyl (Gel-MA)hydrogel, (ii) a hybrid hydrogel composed of 1:1 Gel-MA and gelatinnanoparticles, and (iii) a fully particulate hydrogel based on methacryloyl-modifiedgelatin nanoparticles. The hydrogels were formulated to exhibit thesame solid content and comparable storage modulus but different stiffnessand viscoelastic stress relaxation. The incorporation of particlesresulted in softer hydrogels with enhanced stress relaxation. Murineosteoblastic cells cultured in two-dimensional (2D) on hydrogels showedproliferation and metabolic activity comparable to established collagenhydrogels. Furthermore, the osteoblastic cells showed a trend of increasedcell numbers, cell expansion, and more defined protrusions on stifferhydrogels. Hence, modular assembly allows the design of hydrogelswith tailored mechanical properties and the potential to alter cellbehavior. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000618186Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
BiomacromoleculesVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
American Chemical SocietyOrganisational unit
08821 - Fischer, Peter (Tit.-Prof.)
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